I think the main point of this thread is that some/ many HETAS engineers will inflate the job wherever possible and they use the carbon monoxide safety threat to justify these actions.
It's not just HETAS engineers either and most other trades will try this tactic.
Sticking with chimneys for a second though, here's one for you.
Three weeks ago while sitting at home, I noticed a red van drive past my home and into next doors driveway. On the side of the van it said AC Taylor Chimney Sweeps. Hmm... I thought, I am about to get my stove fitted and it might be an idea to get the guys phone number for when I need my chimney swept. I popped out to have a word. The man was pleasant enough and even suggested that he pop round afterwards to see how easy my chimney would be to sweep.
(His webpage is:
http://www.chimneysweeppeterborough.co.uk/)
Half an hour later he pitched up clearly frustrated. He didn't want to say too much but mentioned that next doors chimney was not safe to use!
He then said that my chimney wants lining because I had a dog leg in my chimney and his brushes would struggle to get round the bend properly!! On no not something else to worry about! Okay he left after giving me a card and I promptly rang the HETAS engineer that is coming to install our fire in a few days time. (18th of Dec) He explained that this was wrong and the sweeper just needs flexible brush rods and even if the chimney was lined, the bend would still be there. This made sense.
I quickly rang another firm of sweepers in the area "A Clean Sweep" (Their webpage is:
http://www.acleansweep.me.uk/) and asked them their thoughts. They felt that if a HETAS engineer was installing the stove, it should be safe and that most chimneys have a bend in them anyway. After I mentioned Mr Taylor's views, they said that the man is well known for scaring people!
A few days ago my neighbor popped round with two certificates. Turns out she had A Clean Sweep round that day to sweep the chimney. On the certificate issued by Mr Taylor it said "Chimney not lined, unsafe to use, DO NOT USE" and on the certificate issued by A Clean Sweep it states "Chimney swept, leak test carried out, stove serviced and safe to use".
Mr Taylor sent an invoice for £49 for his visit and actually did nothing but look up the chimney and write out a "DO NOT USE" sheet, whereas A Clean Sweep did the whole job and only charged £40. Our neighbor was fuming but in the end paid him £39 for his visit to get him off her back.
This makes me cross that there are people out there like this. Her stove was installed by a HETAS engineer 6-years ago, unlined (The chimney has a 9-inch clay lined chimney like ours) and they have never had a problem with it.
Inconsistencies like this are troubling and when people charge money for doing nothing is just plane wrong, especially when another professional firm is happy with it.
I have clearly posted the details of both these firms because I feel that people should know who to watch out for. It might one day turn out that Mr Taylor was right and A Clean Sweep were wrong, but they both can't be right!
